Middle school can be a total roller coaster. From bestie breakdowns to crush catastrophes and extracurricular nightmares, there’s a lot to deal with. Plus, middle school’s about figuring out who you are and what you’re passionate about—exciting, but a little bit scary.

Dealin’ with Drama

Callie Marin—a seventh grader in Raina Telgemeier’s new graphic novel, Drama—knows all about the tough stuff middle school brings. She’s obsessed over theater ever since she saw Les Mis when she was little. Callie would l-o-v-e to act in a production, but there’s a slight problem: her singing voice is rough. So instead, she’s signed on to be the set decorator for her school’s production of Moon Over Mississippi.

From learning how to build a set, to pumping up ticket sales, to helping the play’s cast get along, Callie has a lot on her plate.

While her love for theater is crystal clear, her love life is a little murkier. Callie was really upset after Greg, a super cute eighth grade jock, ditched her to reunite with his snarky ex, Bonnie (who happens to be the play's star, of course).

But soon enough Callie is charmed by two adorable twins, Justin and Jesse, who work on the play with her. Callie’s doing everything she can to get Jesse to notice her, all while trying to create a fabulous set with a less-than-adequate budget. Callie’s seeking five stars—but will she make it? Check out the action below!

Stage directions

We won’t spill how the play (and Callie’s love life!) turn out, but we can share some of the major lessons Callie learned along the way, both on and off the stage. Take note, starlets!

Find your passion and stick with it. Callie knew she loved theater, so she found a way to be a part of the play—even if it wasn’t in the role she had first imagined.

Guys who ignore you are never worth it. After Greg kissed Callie, she thought they had something special—until he got back together with his ex. Although Callie shed a few tears over Greg, she learned that he never deserved her in the first place. Right on, Callie.

Balance the important things. Callie had a lot resting on her shoulders—after all, you can’t have a play without a set! But even though Callie was also focused on finding love with one of the twins, she made sure that the other important things in her life still took center stage.